Manuals in PDF format
The files were converted directly from the HTML format, used for this Web site, to Adobe PDF. One side effect of this is that hyperlinks, which enable you to move around a document quickly, remain. Another side effect is that links to other parts of this web site also remain.
The format of the pages varies to give the maximum resolution of the images. Most of them are in "portrait" (vertical) format but some of them are in "landscape" (horizontal) format. This was done automatically by Adobe Acrobat but I think is quite useful.
The book, written by Florian Cajori, is the standard work on the early history of the slide rule. There is also a version as a Word document which is smaller (2040 Kb). More details on the book are given here.
This is almost a complete book on slide rules use. The author was Managing Director of the company that made Unique slide rules but as this was a comprehensive range it will be useful for other rules as well.
This rule was one of the most comprehensive produced. There are few scales, other than specialised ones, that you do not find on this rule.
fc-283n-esp.pdf (Spanish)This company was one of Britain's major slide rule manufacturers. As well as describing the wide range of scales found on their rules it also describes how to use their patented differential trigonometrical scales.
A fairly basic but well known circular rule.
This is a classic "pocket watch" slide rule.
Another classic rule - this time cylindrical.
Instructions covering a range of scales - in French
nestler.pdfA fairly basic rule (in German)
faber.pdfA well specified German rule. Includes hyperbolic scales (in German)
aristo.pdfA beginner's rule (in German)
rietz.pdf